Retrofitted excavator tooth attachment

ABSTRACT

An excavator implement attachment system can include a tooth having a pocket formed therein, an insert received in a recess formed in an adaptor nose and a threaded fastener which releasably secures the tooth on the nose, the fastener having a helical thread formed thereon which is eccentric relative to a fastener body. A tooth can include a pocket with at least one side wall which has an insert-receiving recess and generally planar insert-engaging interface surfaces formed therein, with one interface surface resisting rotation of the tooth about a longitudinal axis in one direction, and another interface surface resisting rotation of the tooth about the longitudinal axis in an opposite direction. An excavator tooth can include a pocket bounded by opposing side walls, with at least one of the side walls having an insert-receiving recess internally formed thereon, whereby the recess receives an insert installed in an adaptor nose.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC §119 of the filing dateof International Application No. PCT/US10/54499, filed 28 Oct. 2010,which claims priority to prior application Ser. No. 12/608,803, filed 29Oct. 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,011, which is a continuation-in-partof prior application Ser. No. 12/408,880, filed 23 Mar. 2009, nowabandoned. The entire disclosures of these prior applications areincorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized and operationsperformed in conjunction with excavating and, in one example describedbelow, more particularly provides a retrofitted excavator toothattachment.

Excavator implements, such as excavator buckets, trenchers, etc., arecommonly provided with one or more teeth releasably secured to theimplements for convenient replacement as the teeth wear out. In thepast, such excavation teeth were secured to noses on adaptors positionedon lips of the implements, with various forms of pins, wedges, etc.being used to releasably attach the teeth.

Early attachment pins were installed and removed by hammer impact, whichwas later widely recognized as unsafe and inconvenient, leading todevelopment of non-impact methods of attachment. Unfortunately, most ofthese non-impact attachment systems are unduly complex, costly,inconvenient to use and/or unsuited to the hostile environment of anexcavation operation.

Therefore, it will be appreciated that advancements are needed in theart of excavator tooth attachment. Such advancements could includeprovision of an improved attachment system which can be retrofit toexisting adaptor noses, or which can be provided for newly designedadaptor noses.

SUMMARY

In the disclosure below, an excavator tooth and an attachment system areprovided which solve at least one problem in the art. One example isdescribed below in which an excavator tooth is secured to an adaptornose using a unique attachment system. In another example, theattachment system can be retrofit to an existing adaptor nose.

In one aspect, this disclosure provides to the art an attachment systemfor an excavator implement which can include an excavator tooth having anose-receiving pocket formed therein, an insert received in a recessformed in an adaptor nose and a threaded fastener which releasablysecures the tooth on the nose. The fastener can have a helical fastenerthread formed thereon which is eccentric relative to a body of thefastener.

In another aspect, an excavator tooth for use on a nose of an excavatoradaptor can include a nose-receiving pocket bounded by opposing sidewalls, and at least one of the side walls having an insert-receivingrecess and generally planar insert-engaging interface surfaces formedtherein. One interface surface can resist rotation of the tooth about alongitudinal axis of the tooth in one direction, and another interfacesurface can resist rotation of the tooth about the longitudinal axis inan opposite direction.

In yet another aspect, an excavator tooth can include a nose-receivingpocket bounded by opposing side walls, with at least one of the sidewalls having an insert-receiving recess internally formed thereon. Therecess can receive an insert installed in an adaptor nose.

These and other features, advantages and benefits will become apparentto one of ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of thedetailed description of representative examples below and theaccompanying drawings, in which similar elements are indicated in thevarious figures using the same reference numbers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an excavator implement embodyingprinciples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an excavator tooth, adaptor nose andfastener, each of which embodies principles of the present disclosureand may be used on the implement of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the excavator tooth, adaptor nose and fastenerof FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tooth and adaptor nose, takenalong line 4-4 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tooth and adaptor nose, takenalong line 5-5 of FIGS. 2 & 6.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the tooth and nose, taken along line6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the tooth and a top plan view of thenose therein.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the tooth and a side view of thenose therein.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the nose.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the nose.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another configuration of the nose.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the nose configuration of FIG. 11in a complementarily shaped configuration of the tooth.

FIGS. 13-16 are views of an attachment system for the tooth and adaptornose.

FIGS. 17-21 are views of another configuration of the attachment system.

FIGS. 22-26 are views of yet another configuration of the attachmentsystem.

FIGS. 27-29 are views of a further configuration of the attachmentsystem.

FIGS. 30 & 31 are elevational and cross-sectional views of a prior artadaptor nose.

FIGS. 32-34 are elevational, plan and side views of an insert which maybe used with the adaptor nose of FIGS. 30 & 31.

FIG. 35 is an elevational view of the insert installed in the adaptornose.

FIGS. 36 & 37 are elevational and plan views of installation of a toothon the adaptor nose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is an excavator implement 10which embodies principles of this disclosure. The implement 10 isdepicted in FIG. 1 as including a bucket 12 having a material-engaginglower lip 14. Mounted along the lip 14 are spaced apart adaptors 16. Theadaptors 16 allow for mounting excavator teeth 18 along the lip 14, sothat the implement 10 is more efficient in breaking up and scoopingmaterial into the bucket 12.

At this point, it should be noted that the implement 10 as depicted inFIG. 1 is merely one example of a wide variety of implements which canincorporate the principles of this disclosure described more fullybelow. Other types of implements, such as trenchers, etc., can utilizethe principles of this disclosure. Indeed, most excavation equipmentwhich utilizes replaceable excavator teeth can benefit from theprinciples of this disclosure.

Multiple configurations of the adaptors 16 and teeth 18 are depicted inthe drawings and are described below for purposes of illustration andexample, so that a person skilled in the art can appreciate how to makeand use the principles of this disclosure, and the advantages thereof.However, it should be clearly understood that the principles of thisdisclosure are not limited at all to the specific configurations of theadaptors 16, teeth 18 and associated components described herein.Instead, the principles of this disclosure are applicable to a widevariety of excavator teeth, adaptor and attachment systemconfigurations.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 2, a top plan view of engagedportions of an adaptor 16 and tooth 18 are representatively illustrated.FIG. 2 also depicts an attachment system 20 which is used to releasablysecure the tooth 18 to the adaptor 16.

In FIG. 2 it may be seen that a “male” nose 22 of the adaptor 16 isreceived within a “female” pocket 24 formed in a rearward end of thetooth 18. To releasably secure the tooth 18 on the nose 22, a fastener26 is installed in openings 28 formed through opposing side walls 30 ofthe tooth. The fastener 26 also extends through another opening 32formed laterally through the nose 22.

Each of these components is described more fully below, along with theadvantages derived from their unique construction and operation. Amongthese advantages are the secure, reliable, economical, robust andconvenient attachment of the tooth 18 to the adaptor nose 22 using theattachment system 20, as well as the fully stabilized complementaryengagement between the tooth and the adaptor nose which beneficiallyreduces wear between these components.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 3, a side view of the attachmentsystem 20 is representatively illustrated. In this view, it may be seenthat the tooth pocket 24 is bounded by an upper wall 34, a lower wall 36and an end wall 38, as well as by the side walls 30 described above.

The tooth 18 and adaptor nose 22 are aligned along a longitudinal axis40 of the tooth. The fastener 26 is aligned with a lateral axis 42 whichextends transversely (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 40).Another axis 44 is orthogonal to a plane defined by the other two axes40, 42, and intersects the upper and lower walls 34, 36.

Note that, although the axes 40, 42 are depicted in the drawings asbeing horizontally oriented, and the axis 44 is depicted as beingvertically oriented, the axes could be oriented in any directions whenthe tooth 18 is attached to the adaptor nose 22, and when the implement10 is used in excavating operations. Thus, the orientations of the axes40, 42, 44 shown in the drawings are merely for convenience ofdescription, illustration and example.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of theadaptor 16 and tooth 18 is representatively illustrated. In this view,several additional features of the attachment system 20 can be moreclearly seen.

The opening 32 has helical threads 46 at each opposite end thereof. Notethat the threads 46 are not coaxial with the openings 28, 32, but areinstead eccentric relative to the openings. Preferably, the threads 46are tangential to one side of the opening 32 (as described more fullybelow), and are discontinuous, in that each of the threads terminateswithout connecting with the thread at the other end of the opening.

The two threads 46 permit the fastener 26 to be installed from eitherend of the openings 28, 32. The terminations of the threads 46 in theopening 32 prevents the fastener 26 from being installed too far intothe opening. The eccentric position of the threads 46 relative to theopenings 28, 32 allows a body of the fastener 26 to fully contact theopenings upon installation, thereby providing increased surface area andreduced wear, as described more fully below.

The openings 28 are also not coaxial with the opening 32. In addition tothe benefits discussed above, the eccentric positioning of the openings28, 32 also provides for automatic, intuitive alignment of the fastener26 with the openings at installation, as described more fully below.

Recesses 48 (used for one example of a lock device 82 described below)are depicted in FIG. 4 as being formed in the nose portion 22 adjacentthe opening 32 and threads 46. Various devices for locking the fastener26 in the tooth 18 and adaptor nose 22 are described more fully below.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 5, another cross-sectional view ofthe tooth 18 and adaptor nose 22 is representatively illustrated. Inthis view it may be seen that the tooth 18 abuts the nose 22 primarilyat a planar interface surface 50 formed on the end wall 38. The surface50 is oriented orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 40 of the tooth 18and thereby provides substantial resistance to force 52 applied to thetooth along the longitudinal axis.

In addition, inclined planar interface surfaces 53 are provided which,in addition to resisting the longitudinal force 52, also function tocenter and stabilize the tooth 18 relative to the longitudinal axis 40.The surfaces 53 are preferably inclined relative to the longitudinal andorthogonal axes 40, 44, but are parallel to the lateral axis 42 of thetooth 18.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 6, another cross-sectional view ofthe tooth 18 and adaptor nose 22 is representatively illustrated. Inthis view it may be seen that additional inclined interface surfaces areutilized in the attachment system 20 to resist various other forcesapplied to the tooth 18, and to stabilize the tooth on the adaptor nose22.

Planar interface surfaces 54, 56 formed on the upper and lower walls 34,36 resist forces 58 applied to the tooth along the axis 44 and functionto center and stabilize the tooth 18 on the adaptor nose 22 in responseto these forces. Planar interface surfaces 60, 62 formed on the sidewalls 30 resist forces 64 applied to the tooth 18 along the axis 42 andfunction to center and stabilize the tooth on the adaptor nose 22 inresponse to these forces.

In addition, the surfaces 54, 62 function to resist rotation of thetooth 18 about the adaptor nose 22 due to torque 66 applied to the toothabout the longitudinal axis 40. Similarly, the surfaces 56, 60 functionto resist rotation of the tooth 18 about the adaptor nose 22 due tooppositely directed torque 68 applied about the axis 40.

Preferably, each of the interface surfaces 54, 56, 60, 62 is inclinedrelative to each of the axes 40, 42, 44 for enhanced stabilization ofthe tooth 18 on the adaptor nose 22. However, the surfaces 54, 56, 60,62 could be otherwise oriented, without departing from the principles ofthis disclosure. Furthermore, since the tooth pocket 24 is substantiallycomplementarily shaped relative to the adaptor nose 22, the nose hasinterface surfaces formed thereon which are similarly shaped andoriented as the surfaces 50, 53, 54, 56, 60, 62 and other interfacesurfaces described herein.

The interface surfaces 60, 62 combine to form a convex portion of thepocket 24, thereby increasing the lateral thickness of the side walls30. This is advantageous for providing sufficient contact surface areabetween the openings 28 and each end of the fastener 26, as describedmore fully below.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 7, another cross-sectional view ofthe tooth 18 on the adaptor nose 22 is representatively illustrated. Inthis view it may be seen that additional planar interface surfaces 70are formed on the end wall 38 adjacent and on opposite sides of thesurface 50.

The surfaces 70 resist the longitudinal force 52, and also function tocenter and stabilize the tooth 18 relative to the longitudinal axis 40in response to the force. The surfaces 70 are preferably inclinedrelative to the longitudinal and lateral axes 40, 42, but are parallelto the orthogonal axis 44 of the tooth 18. In the examples depicted inthe drawings, the surfaces 53, 70 intersect the surface 50 at agenerally rectangular periphery thereof, due to the orientations ofthese surfaces, but other configurations may be used, if desired.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 8, another cross-sectional view ofthe tooth 18 on the adaptor nose 22 is representatively illustrated. Inthis view it may be seen that the upper and lower walls 34, 36 haveplanar interface surfaces 72, 74 formed thereon which resist the forces58 applied to the tooth along the axis 44.

The surfaces 72, 74 are preferably longitudinally spaced apart from eachother along each of the upper and lower walls 34, 36, and are preferablyparallel to each other. The surfaces 72, 74 are also preferably offsetrelative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces. Thesurfaces 72, 74 could be somewhat inclined relative to each other, ifdesired, but preferably such relative inclination is minimal.

The surfaces 72, 74 are preferably inclined somewhat relative to thelongitudinal axis 40 and the orthogonal axis 44, but are parallel to thelateral axis 42. The surfaces 72, 74 could be parallel to thelongitudinal axis 40, if desired.

The surfaces 72 function to resist rotation of the tooth 18 about theadaptor nose 22 due to torque 76 applied to the tooth about the lateralaxis 42. Similarly, the surfaces 74 function to resist rotation of thetooth 18 about the adaptor nose 22 due to oppositely directed torque 78applied about the axis 42.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 9 & 10, respective top and sideviews of the adaptor nose 22 are representatively illustrated, apartfrom the remainder of the attachment system 20. In these views, theinterface surfaces described above as being formed in the tooth pocket24 are indicated on the adaptor nose 22 to demonstrate how the surfaceson the nose and pocket cooperate to form a complementarily shapedattachment and stabilization system.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 11 & 12, another configuration ofthe tooth 18 and adaptor nose 22 is representatively illustrated. Inthis configuration, the interface surfaces 54, 56 on the upper and lowerwalls 34, 36 are separated by another inclined planar surface 80.Otherwise, the configuration of FIGS. 11 & 12 is substantially similarto the configuration of FIGS. 2-10 and functions in essentially the sameway. This demonstrates that various configurations of the attachmentsystem 20 may be utilized in keeping with the principles of thisdisclosure.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 13-16, the attachment system 20 isrepresentatively illustrated, along with components of a lock device 82for preventing inadvertent removal of the fastener 26 from the adaptornose 22 and tooth 18. FIG. 13 depicts the lock device 82 installed inthe assembled adaptor nose 22 and tooth 18, FIGS. 14 & 15 depict thespecially constructed fastener 26, and FIG. 16 depicts a lock member 84of the lock device.

The fastener 26 as depicted in FIG. 14 has an elongated body 86, with ahelical thread 88 formed near one end of the body. The thread 88 iseccentric relative to the body 86, such that the thread is tangentialwith one lateral side of the body.

The body 86 is generally cylindrical-shaped, but may be tapered somewhat(e.g., tapering inward from the thread 88 end toward the unthreaded endapproximately one degree on a side), in order to facilitate removal ofthe fastener 26 from the opening 32 in the adaptor nose 22. Contactsurfaces 90 are provided at each end of the body 86 for contacting theopening 28 in each side of the tooth 18 (as depicted in FIG. 13), and anintermediate portion of the body provides a contact surface 92 whichcontacts the opening 32 in the adaptor nose 22.

When installing the fastener 26, the body 86 is inserted through theopening 28 on one side of the tooth 18, and into the opening 32 in theadaptor nose 22. The fastener 26 is rotated until the thread 88 alignswith the opening 28.

Note that the thread 88 is eccentrically offset relative to the body 86of the fastener 26 by the same amount as the opening 28 is eccentricallyoffset relative to the opening 32, and the thread 88 is somewhat smallerin diameter than the opening 28. Thus, it is intuitive to an operator toalign the thread 88 with the opening 28 once the body 86 has beeninserted into the opening 32 of the adaptor nose 22.

With the thread 88 inserted into the opening 28, the thread 88 will alsobe aligned for ready engagement with the respective one of the threads46 in the adaptor nose 22. The fastener 26 is then rotated 180 degrees(or another amount of rotation, such as 90 degrees, if desired,depending upon the depth of the thread 46 in the adaptor nose 22).

At this point, with the contact surfaces 90 engaging the openings 28,the contact surface 92 engaged in the opening 32 and the threads 46, 88engaged with each other, the tooth 18 is secured onto the adaptor nose22. The lock device 82 can then be used to prevent unintendedunthreading of the fastener 26.

Note that a socket 94 is provided in one end of the fastener 26 for useof an appropriate tool to rotate the fastener when threading orunthreading it in the attachment system 20. The lock device 82 utilizesthis socket 94, in conjunction with a slot 96 extending laterallybetween the socket and the outer surface of the body 86, to retain thelock member 84.

As depicted in FIG. 16, the lock member 84 is complementarily shapedrelative to the socket 94 and slot 96 on one side 98 of the lock member,and has a lobe 100 extending outwardly from an opposite side. The lobe100 has an outer curvature which matches that of the opening 28 so that,when the fastener 26 is appropriately threaded into the opening 32 andthe side 98 of the lock member 84 is inserted into the socket 94 andslot 96, the lobe will cooperatively engage the opening 28 to therebyprevent unthreading of the fastener.

Preferably, the lock member 84 is made of a resilient material, such asan appropriately durable elastomer. The lock member end 98 and lobe 100are preferably sized for an interference fit in the respective socket 94and opening 28, to thereby prevent inadvertent dislodging of the lockmember from the fastener 26 and tooth 18.

In the lock device 82 of FIGS. 13-16, the lock member 84 engages theopening 28 to prevent unintentional unthreading of the fastener 26.However, other types of lock devices can be used, if desired.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 17-21, another configuration of thelock device 82 is representatively illustrated. In this configuration,the lock member 84 engages the fastener 26 and a slot 102 formed in theadaptor nose 22 adjacent the opening 32 to prevent inadvertentunthreading of the fastener.

The lock member 84 as depicted in FIGS. 20 & 21 includes an elongatedkey 104 which is inserted into the aligned slot 96 in the fastener 26and the slot 102 in the adaptor nose 22 after the fastener has beenappropriately threaded into the adaptor nose. The slot 96 in thefastener 26 is appropriately elongated for this purpose, as depicted inFIGS. 18 & 19. Again, the lock member 84 is preferably made of aresilient material and is preferably interference fit in the fastener 26and slots 96, 102 to prevent inadvertent removal.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 22-26, another configuration of thelock device 82 is representatively illustrated. In this configuration,the lock member 84 is in the form of a cylindrical rod which is retainedin the adaptor nose 22 between the recess 48 and the opening 32 (therecess 48 is more clearly viewed in FIGS. 4 & 8).

The lock member 84 is resiliently biased toward the opening 32 by abiasing device 106 positioned in the recess 48. The biasing device 106is preferably made of an elastomeric material, but other types ofbiasing devices (such as springs, etc.) could be used, if desired.

A detent 108 is formed on the thread 88 of the fastener 26, as depictedin FIG. 23. As the fastener 26 is rotated to thread the fastener intothe adaptor nose 22, the thread 88 displaces the lock member 84 towardthe recess 48, thereby compressing the biasing device 106. When thefastener 26 has been appropriately threaded into the adaptor nose 22,the detent 108 will be aligned with the lock member 84, and the lockmember 84 will be biased by the biasing device 106 into engagement withthe detent, thereby preventing inadvertent unthreading of the fastener.

This sequence is depicted in FIGS. 24-26. FIG. 24 depicts thearrangement of the fastener 26, lock member 84 and biasing device 106when the fastener is inserted into the opening 32 and the thread 88 isaligned with the opening 28, just prior to threading the fastener intothe adaptor nose 22.

FIG. 25 depicts the arrangement of the fastener 26, lock member 84 andbiasing device 106 when the fastener has been rotated 90 degrees,thereby partially threading the fastener into the adaptor nose 22. Notethat the lock member 84 has been displaced by the thread 88 (due to itseccentric positioning relative to the body 86) toward the biasing device106, thereby compressing the biasing device.

FIG. 26 depicts the arrangement of the fastener 26, lock member 84 andbiasing device 106 when the fastener has been rotated 180 degrees,thereby fully threading the fastener into the adaptor nose 22. Note thatthe lock member 84 is now engaged with the detent 108, and suchengagement is resiliently maintained by the biasing device 106.Unthreading of the fastener 26 would require again compressing thebiasing device 106, which may be conveniently accomplished when desired,but which would not be expected to happen inadvertently.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 27-29, another configuration of theattachment system 20 is representatively illustrated. The attachmentsystem 20 is depicted without the fastener 26 and lock device 82 forillustrative clarity, but the attachment system example of FIGS. 27-29is configured to utilize a fastener and lock device of the typeillustrated in FIGS. 22-26 and described above.

The configuration of FIGS. 27-29 differs in at least one significant wayfrom the configuration of FIGS. 22-26, in that the openings 28 in theside walls 30 of the FIGS. 27-29 configuration have thread-engagingportions 110 formed therein. The thread-engaging portions 110 aredepicted in the drawings as a partial thread or helical ramp whichextends only partially circumferentially about the interior of theopening 28. However, other types of thread-engaging structures may beused, if desired.

The thread-engaging portions 110 function to engage the thread 88 on thefastener 26 as the fastener is unthreaded from the opening 32 in thenose 22. The thread 88 engages one of the portions 110 and, as thefastener is rotated counter-clockwise (as depicted in the drawings), thethreaded or ramped configuration of the thread-engaging portion causesthe fastener 26 to continue withdrawal from the opening 32. Thisprovides more convenient removal of the fastener 26 from the openings28, 30.

Note that the thread-engaging portions 110 are eccentric relative to theopening 32 in the nose 22. In addition, although the thread-engagingportions 110 are formed in each of the openings 28 in each of the sidewalls 30 as depicted in the drawings, the principles of this disclosurecould be practiced with only one opening 28 formed through one of theside walls 30, in which case only one thread-engaging portion 110 may beused.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 30 & 31, a portion of a prior artadaptor 114 is representatively illustrated. The adaptor 114 includes anose 116 which, unfortunately, did not previously have the nose/toothstabilization and attachment system 20 advantages described above forthe adaptor nose 22 and tooth 18. However, it is possible, using theprinciples described below, to obtain some or all of these advantagesfor the adaptor 114 of FIGS. 30 & 31.

The adaptor 114 includes a laterally extending fastener-receivingopening 118. On one lateral side, a cylindrical recess 120 is formedinto the nose 116. In the past, such a recess would have been used tocontain a retainer for preventing inadvertent dislodging of a fastenerinstalled in the opening 118.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 32-34, an insert 122 which embodiesprinciples of this disclosure is representatively illustrated. Theinsert 122 includes a cylindrical projection 124 which is dimensioned sothat it fits complementarily into the recess 120 in the adaptor nose116.

In addition, the insert 122 includes many of the features describedabove for the adaptor 16. For example, the insert 122 includes theopening 28, the eccentrically offset thread 46, the recess 48 and theinterface surfaces 60, 62. These elements can provide some or all of theabove-described advantages to the adaptor nose 116 (e.g., enhancednose/tooth stabilization and improved attachment of a tooth to thenose).

Referring additionally now to FIG. 35, the insert 122 isrepresentatively illustrated as installed in the adaptor nose 116. Inaddition, the lock device 82 is depicted as being installed in theinsert 122. Note, however, that other lock devices (including any of thelock devices described above) may be used in keeping with the principlesof this disclosure.

The opening 32 in the insert 122 is preferably concentric with theopening 118 in the adaptor nose 116. However, note that the thread 46 iseccentric relative to each of the openings 32, 118, similar to themanner in which the threads are eccentric relative to the opening 32 inthe adaptor nose 22 described above.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 36 & 37, installation of anexcavator tooth 126 on the adaptor nose 116 is representativelyillustrated. The tooth 126 has a pocket 128 formed therein which iscomplementarily shaped relative to the adaptor nose 116 with the insert122 installed therein.

Thus, the tooth pocket 128 has interface surfaces 130, 132 formedtherein which complementarily engage the surfaces 60, 62 on the insert122. The engagement between these respective surfaces 60 and 130, and 62and 132, provides enhanced stabilization between the tooth 126 and theadaptor nose 116, e.g., by resisting torque applied in each of oppositedirections to the tooth about its longitudinal axis 40.

The tooth 126 also has the opening 28 and the thread-engaging portion110 formed in one side thereof for receiving the fastener 26. Thethread-engaging portion 110 aids in removing the fastener 26 from theadaptor 114 and tooth 126 as described above. Although thethread-engaging portion 110 is depicted in FIGS. 36 & 37 as being formedin only one side of the tooth 126, in other examples the thread-engagingportion could be formed in both sides of the tooth, thereby allowing thetooth to be reversed on the adaptor nose 116.

The fastener 26 can be installed in the tooth 126 and adaptor 114 asdescribed above for the adaptor 16 and tooth 18, after the nose 116 isreceived in the pocket 128. The lock device 82 will prevent inadvertentdislodgement of the fastener 26 from the tooth 126 and adaptor 114.

It will now be fully appreciated that the attachment system 20,excavator teeth 18, 126, adaptor nose 22 and insert 122 described aboveprovide several advancements to the art of excavator teeth installation,securement and removal. The fastener 26 and lock device 82 releasablysecure the teeth 18, 126 on the respective adaptor noses 22, 116 in amanner which is desirably simple, safe, efficient, convenient andreliable.

The above disclosure provides to the art an attachment system 20 for anexcavator implement 10. The system 20 can include an excavator tooth 126having a nose-receiving pocket 128 formed therein, an insert 122received in a recess 120 formed in an adaptor nose 116, and a threadedfastener 26 which releasably secures the tooth 126 on the nose 116. Thefastener 26 can have a helical fastener thread 88 formed thereon whichis eccentric relative to a body 86 of the fastener 26.

The insert 122 may have a threaded fastener-receiving opening 32 formedtherein, with at least one fastener-receiving thread 46 formed in theinsert 122 being eccentric relative to the opening 32.

The fastener thread 88 may extend outwardly from the body 86, with thefastener thread 88 on one lateral side of the body 86 being tangentialwith an outer surface of the body 86.

The tooth 126 may have fastener-receiving openings 28 formed throughopposite lateral side walls 136 of the pocket 128. The fastener body 86can engage the tooth fastener-receiving openings 28 on opposite sides ofthe thread 88 when the fastener 26 secures the tooth 126 on the adaptornose 116.

The insert 122 can have a fastener-receiving opening 32 formed therein,with the insert fastener-receiving opening 32 being eccentric relativeto the tooth fastener-receiving openings 28, such that the fastenerthread 88 is coaxial with the tooth fastener-receiving opening 28 whenthe fastener body 86 is coaxial with the insert fastener-receivingopening 32.

At least one of the tooth fastener-receiving openings 28 may include athread-engaging portion 110 which engages the fastener thread 88 as thefastener 26 is unthreaded from the insert fastener-receiving opening 32.

The system 20 can also include a lock device 82 which engages both thefastener 26 and the insert 122, whereby the lock device 82 preventsrotation of the fastener 26 relative to the insert 122.

The insert 122 may include inclined interface surfaces 60, 62 whichcomplementarily engage interface surfaces 130, 132 formed in the tooth126, whereby the engagement between the insert interface surfaces 60, 62and the respective tooth interface surfaces 130, 132 stabilizes thetooth 126 on the adaptor nose 116.

Also described above is an excavator tooth 126 for use on a nose 116 ofan excavator adaptor 114. The tooth 126 can include a nose-receivingpocket 128 bounded by opposing side walls 136, with at least one of theside walls 136 having an insert-receiving recess 134 formed therein, andgenerally planar insert-engaging interface surfaces 130, 132 formedtherein, one interface surface 130 resisting rotation of the tooth 126about a longitudinal axis 40 of the tooth 126 in one direction, andanother interface surface 132 resisting rotation of the tooth 126 aboutthe longitudinal axis 40 in an opposite direction.

Each of the interface surfaces 130, 132 may be inclined relative to alateral axis 42 of the tooth 126 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis40.

A tooth fastener-receiving opening 28 formed through at least one of theside walls 136 can include a thread-engaging portion 110 which engages afastener thread 88 as a fastener 26 is unthreaded from an insertfastener-receiving opening 32.

The above disclosure also describes an excavator tooth 126 for use on anose 116 of an excavator adaptor 114. The tooth 126 can include anose-receiving pocket 128 bounded by opposing side walls 136, with atleast one of the side walls 136 having an insert-receiving recess 134internally formed thereon, whereby the recess 134 receives an insert 122installed in the adaptor nose 116.

At least one of the side walls 136 can have a fastener-receiving opening28 formed therethrough perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 40 of thetooth 126, with the tooth fastener-receiving opening 28 including athread-engaging portion 110 which engages a fastener thread 88 as afastener 26 is unthreaded from an insert fastener-receiving opening 32.

The thread-engaging portion 110 can include a threaded portion of thetooth fastener-receiving opening 28. The thread-engaging portion 110 caninclude a ramped portion of the tooth fastener-receiving opening 28. Thethread-engaging portion 110 may be eccentric relative the insertfastener-receiving opening 32.

The insert-receiving recess 134 may have generally planar nose-engaginginterface surfaces 130, 132 formed therein, with one interface surface130 resisting rotation of the tooth 126 about a longitudinal axis 40 ofthe tooth 126 in one direction, and another interface surface 132resisting rotation of the tooth 126 about the longitudinal axis 40 in anopposite direction. Each of the interface surfaces 130, 132 may beinclined relative to a lateral axis 42 of the tooth 126 perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis 40.

It is to be understood that the various examples described above may beutilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted,horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, withoutdeparting from the principles of the present disclosure. The embodimentsillustrated in the drawings are depicted and described merely asexamples of useful applications of the principles of the disclosure,which are not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.

Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a carefulconsideration of the above description of representative embodiments,readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions,deletions, and other changes may be made to these specific embodiments,and such changes are within the scope of the principles of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to beclearly understood as being given by way of illustration and exampleonly, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited solelyby the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. An attachment system for an excavator implement, the systemcomprising: an excavator tooth having a nose-receiving pocket formedtherein; an insert received in a recess formed in an adaptor nose; and athreaded fastener which releasably secures the tooth on the nose, thefastener having a helical fastener thread formed thereon which iseccentric relative to a body of the fastener.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the insert has a threaded fastener-receiving opening formedtherein, and wherein at least one fastener-receiving thread formed inthe insert is eccentric relative to the opening.
 3. The system of claim1, wherein the fastener thread extends outwardly from the body, andwherein the fastener thread on one lateral side of the body istangential with an outer surface of the body.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the tooth has fastener-receiving openings formed throughopposite lateral side walls of the pocket, and wherein the fastener bodyengages the tooth fastener-receiving openings on opposite sides of thethread when the fastener secures the tooth on the adaptor nose.
 5. Thesystem of claim 4, wherein the insert has a fastener-receiving openingformed therein, the insert fastener-receiving opening being eccentricrelative to the tooth fastener-receiving openings, such that thefastener thread is coaxial with the tooth fastener-receiving openingwhen the fastener body is coaxial with the insert fastener-receivingopening.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein at least one of the toothfastener-receiving openings includes a thread-engaging portion whichengages the fastener thread as the fastener is unthreaded from theinsert fastener-receiving opening.
 7. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a lock device which engages both the fastener and the insert,whereby the lock device prevents rotation of the fastener relative tothe insert.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the insert includesinclined interface surfaces which complementarily engage interfacesurfaces formed in the tooth, whereby the engagement between the insertinterface surfaces and the respective tooth interface surfacesstabilizes the tooth on the adaptor nose.
 9. An excavator tooth for useon a nose of an excavator adaptor, the tooth comprising: anose-receiving pocket bounded by opposing side walls; at least one ofthe side walls having an insert-receiving recess formed therein, andfirst and second generally planar insert-engaging interface surfacesformed therein, the first interface surface resisting rotation of thetooth about a longitudinal axis of the tooth in a first direction, andthe second interface surface resisting rotation of the tooth about thelongitudinal axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction.10. The excavator tooth of claim 9, wherein each of the first and secondinterface surfaces is inclined relative to a lateral axis of the toothperpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
 11. The excavator tooth of claim9, wherein a tooth fastener-receiving opening formed through at leastone of the side walls includes a thread-engaging portion which engages afastener thread as a fastener is unthreaded from an insertfastener-receiving opening.
 12. (canceled)
 13. An excavator tooth foruse on a nose of an excavator adaptor, the tooth comprising: anose-receiving pocket bounded by opposing side walls; and at least oneof the side walls having an insert-receiving recess internally formedthereon, whereby the recess receives an insert installed in the adaptornose, wherein at least one of the side walls has a fastener-receivingopening formed therethrough perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of thetooth, and the tooth fastener-receiving opening including athread-engaging portion which engages a fastener thread as a fastener isunthreaded from an insert fastener-receiving opening.
 14. The excavatortooth of claim 13, wherein the thread-engaging portion comprises athreaded portion of the tooth fastener-receiving opening.
 15. Theexcavator tooth of claim 13, wherein the thread-engaging portioncomprises a ramped portion of the tooth fastener-receiving opening. 16.The excavator tooth of claim 13, wherein the thread-engaging portion iseccentric relative the insert fastener-receiving opening.
 17. Anexcavator tooth for use on a nose of an excavator adaptor, the toothcomprising: a nose-receiving pocket bounded by opposing side walls; andat least one of the side walls having an insert-receiving recessinternally formed thereon, whereby the recess receives an insertinstalled in the adaptor nose, wherein the insert-receiving recess hasfirst and second generally planar nose-engaging interface surfacesformed therein, the first interface surface resisting rotation of thetooth about a longitudinal axis of the tooth in a first direction, andthe second interface surface resisting rotation of the tooth about thelongitudinal axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction.18. The excavator tooth of claim 17, wherein each of the first andsecond interface surfaces is inclined relative to a lateral axis of thetooth perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.